Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Missouri lawmakers vote to reject federal Real ID Act

JEFFERSON CITY | Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday voted to direct the Department of Revenue to not comply with federal driver’s licens

e requirements.

The federal Real ID Act, passed in 2005, requires states to collect and verify certain information about applicants for driver’s licenses and state I

D cards. It was passed in response to national security concerns after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

But some Missouri lawmakers argue Real ID is an unwelcome intrusion into privacy and requires several new technologies that could increase the risk of identity theft.

The Senate voted 32-0 Wednesday to advance the bill to Gov. Jay Nixon. The bill was previously passed by the House. If Nixon signs the legislation, Missouri would join 12 other

states that have enacted similar anti-Real ID laws.

“That’s a pretty strong statement right there that the federal government should back off,” said Rep. Jim Guest [featured right], R-King City, who has sponsored the measure for several years.

Real ID requires that driver’s licenses include the holder’s full name, birth date, gender, license number, digital photograph, principal address and signature as well as tamper-resistant security features. The law also sets standards for verifying a license applicant’s identity and citizenship.

States have until the end of this year to meet the federal requirements but could get an extension until May 2011.

At that time, citizens in noncompliant states would not be able to board federally regulated planes or enter federal buildings simply by showing their state driver’s licenses.

Some Missouri senators said they think the effective date will be pushed back to 2015 and that federal officials might not even implement the law.

“They are finding out that this is not the great program that the federal government deemed it was,” said Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield.